Folding device for treadmills

ABSTRACT

A treadmill includes a base and a frame with a running belt is connected to a folding device connected to the base. The folding device includes a support frame which has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the base and a second end of the support frame is pivotably connected to a first end of a sliding frame. A second end of the sliding frame is pivotably connected to the frame. The sliding frame includes sliding members slidably connected to tracks of the base. The sliding members can be disengaged from openings defined in the tracks when the frame is raised. A driving device has one end connected to the frame and the other end of the driving device is pivotably connected to a branch of the sliding frame. The rising angle of the frame can be adjusted by lifting the second end of the sliding frame. When the frame is folded to upright position, the first end of the sliding frame is raised and pivoted upward the second end of the support frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding device which adjusts the rising angle of the frame and the frame can be folded to upright position by a driving mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional treadmill 1 is disclosed in FIG. 7 and generally includes two support bars 2 and 3 which has one end pivotably connected with each other and the frame 1 of the treadmill is connected to the pivotal point of the support bars 2 and 3. The frame 1 has only one point connected with the two support bars 2 and 3. The rising angle of the frame 1 is limited by the length of the support bars 2 and 3. Another conventional treadmill is shown in FIG. 8 which includes two support bars 5 and 6, and a connection bar 4 is connected between the frame and the pivotal point of the two support bars 5 and 6. The other end of the support bar 6 is movably engaged in a rail. This is similar the mechanism disclosed in FIG. 7 and does not improve the shortcomings. FIGS. 9 and 10 show an improvement which is developed on the basis of the mechanism disclosed in FIG. 8 and includes two support bars 9 a and 9 b, and further includes at least one pneumatic bar 8 connected between the frame 9 and the support bar 9 b. The mechanism, like the disclosure in FIGS. 7 and 8, can only raise the frame 9 in one direction at one point. Because the support bars 9 a, 9 b and the pneumatic bar 8 are located at a remote end of the frame 9 so that the pneumatic bar 8 requires a long travel distance to fold the frame 9. The longer travel distance the pneumatic bar extends, the higher price the pneumatic bar 8 is. Besides, the longer travel distance the pneumatic bar extends, the higher possibility that the pneumatic bar 8 could be damaged.

The present invention intends to provide folding device for a treadmill that includes a support frame and a sliding frame which is pivotably connected to the support frame. The sliding frame is connected to an end of the frame and a driving device is engaged with a branch of the sliding frame so as to drive the sliding frame to adjust the frame or to fold the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding device of a treadmill and the folding device comprises a support frame which has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the base of the treadmill and a second end of the support frame is pivotably connected to a first end of a sliding frame. A second end of the sliding frame is pivotably connected to a frame with a running belt of the treadmill. The sliding frame has sliding members slidably connected to tracks of the base and can be disengaged from openings of the tracks when the frame is raised. A driving device has one end connected to the frame and the other end of the driving device is pivotably connected to a branch of the sliding frame.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side view to show the frame of the treadmill is raised at its front end by the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the front end of the frame of the treadmill is lowered by the driving device of the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the frame is folded upright by the folding device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the actions the frame of the treadmill is folded upright;

FIG. 5 shows the driving device and the sliding frame which is pivoted downward;

FIG. 6 shows the openings of the tracks of the base of the treadmill;

FIG. 7 shows a first conventional folding device of a treadmill;

FIG. 8 shows a second conventional folding device of a treadmill;

FIG. 9 shows a third conventional folding device of a treadmill, and

FIG. 10 shows the frame is folded upright by the third conventional folding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the treadmill of the present invention comprises a base 10 and a frame 40 with a running belt connected thereto which is not shown. The front end of the frame 40 is located above the frame 10 and the rear end of the frame 40 has a wheel supported under the frame 40.

A folding device comprises a support frame 20 which has a first end 24 thereof pivotably connected to the base 10 and a second end 23 of the support frame 20 is pivotably connected to a first end 35 of a sliding frame 30. A second end 34 of the sliding frame 30 is pivotably connected to a lug 45 extending from an underside of the front end 46 of the frame 40. The sliding frame 30 has sliding members 31 as shown in FIG. 3 slidably connected to tracks 11 of the base 10. The tracks 11 each have an opening 111 as shown in FIG. 6 so that the sliding members 31 can be disengaged from the openings 111 of the tracks 11 when the frame 40 is raised as shown in FIG. 1. the support frame 20 includes a stretch rod 22 which is retractably connected to an extension tube 21 of the support frame 20 and connected to a mediate point of the underside of the frame 40. Two pneumatic bars 44 are connected between the support frame 20 and the frame 40.

A driving device having one end connected to a lug 41 on the frame 40 and includes a motor 42 which has a threaded output rod 43. A branch 32 is connected to the sliding frame 30 and a nut 33 is connected to the branch 32. The threaded output rod 43 threadedly extends through the nut 33.

When using the frame 40, the support frame 20 is oriented in horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the tubes 25 of the support frame 20 are supported on the rubber pads 12 as shown in FIG. 6. When the threaded output rod 43 is rotated and moves the nut 33 away from the motor as shown in FIG. 2, the front end 46 of the frame 40 is lowered, such that the raising angle of the frame 40 can be adjusted by the motor 42.

Further referring to FIG. 4, when folding the frame 40, the nut 33 is driven away from the motor 42 and this makes the sliding members 31 re-engaged with the tracks 11 via the openings 111 when the second end 34 of the sliding frame 30 is lowered. Along with the movement of the nut 33, the first end 35 of the sliding frame 30 is pivoted upward and the second end 23 of the support frame 20 is pivoted upward with the sliding frame 30. The frame 40 is then pivoted upright with the pneumatic bars 44 being stretched till the frame 40 is in upright position. The pneumatic bars 44 are helpful to prevent the frame 40 from dropping quickly when the frame 40 is to be lowered when the motor 42 are activated in opposite direction.

It is noted that both of the first end 35 and the second end 34 of the sliding frame 30 can be pivoted upward to change the position of the frame 40. The first end 35 of the sliding frame 30 is located close to the mediate portion of the frame 40 so that it is effective to raise the frame 40 upright. The pneumatic bars 44 and the stretch rod 22 are connected between the support frame 20 and the rear end of the frame 40 so that a less force is needed to raise the rear end of the frame 40.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A treadmill comprising: a base (10) and a frame (40); a folding device comprising a support frame (20) which has a first end thereof pivotably connected to the base (10) and a second end of the support frame (20) is pivotably connected to a first end of a sliding frame (30), a second end of the sliding frame (30) pivotably connected to the frame (40), the sliding frame (30) having sliding members (31) slidably connected to tracks (11) of the base (10), the tracks (11) each having an opening (111) and the sliding members (31) disengaged from the openings (111) of the tracks (11) when the frame (40) is raised, and a driving device having one end connected to the frame (40) and the other end of the driving device pivotably connected to a branch (32) of the sliding frame (30).
 2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving device includes a motor (42) and a threaded output rod (43), a nut (33) connected to the branch (32) and the threaded output rod (43) threadedly extending through the nut (33).
 3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame (20) includes a stretch rod (22) which is connected to a mediate point of an underside of the frame (40).
 4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two pneumatic bars (44) connected between the support frame (20) and the frame (40). 